The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1887-05-13
SELECT STORY.
A DRAWN GAME.

of his Office, in Exchange court in the
city of Liverpool. The sunlight slant
ed across a sleek brown head and made
the splendid diamond which adorned
the little finger of his left hand sparkle.
Mr.. Johnson's was an arstocratic
hand, slender and white, for the poss.
ession of which he was indebted to
| some remote ancestor whose name was
not johnson. "Gentlemau' was stamp
ed upon every feature of his calm,
clean-shaved, expressionless face,
"Scoundrel,' by some unaccountable
omission on the part of nature, was not
written there. His features, though
well shaped, we're small.
After time he desisted from his
occupation of absently covering the
blotting pad before him with tiny dots,
and rising abruptly took up his posi-
tion on the hearth rug, with his back
to the fireplace.
He was tall man, slimly built, with
a well poised head and square shoul-
ders; and as the light fell more strongly
upon his face it was noticeable that bis
eyes-which were blue, and very close
ly set together-were clear aud guile
less as little child's. He found those
eyes very useful upon occasions, useful
beyond the ordinary use of eyes. They
were eyes that could look straight into
yours while their owner was concocting
or relating statements or incidents which
might be absolutely false. They had
had good deal of practice. He was
thirty years old, and during all his life
had never yet told the truth when lie
would do as well.
The glib falsehood flowed from his
tongue with smoothness and air ot
truth which would have deceived, and
did deceive, the most wary and sus
picious of the fascinating Johnsou's
friends and associates.
In the eyes of the commercial world
Mr.. johnson was rich man. In the
eyes of his confidential clerk and him.
self his firm was tottering on the brink
of ruin. Nothing short of a miracle
could save it, and Edgar knew that the
days of miracles were past.
He was evidently thinking deeply
as he stood there on this May after
noon. His forehead was contracted
his thin, well-cut lips pressed closely
together. Suddenly an indescribablt
agitation passed over his features, &C
companied with a quiver, slight and
fleetirg as the trembling of calm
lake stirred by some passing breeze
| He advanced quickly toward the table
and touched a small bell which stooC
thereon.
A clerk entered the room.
"Saunders-a hansom."
eyes, sir,' and the door CLOSED
again.
Mr.. johnson got into his light over
coat, drew on his gloves in the same
calm, gentlemanly manner in which h,
did most things, took up his hat and
stick, went down stairs and leisurely
ertered the hanson, which he directed
to certain house in James street II
few minutes the hanson stopped a
at dingy ground-foor Office in Jane,
street. The most prosperous firms
sometimes carry on their operations in
the dingiest of offices, and the firm O.
"Levi, Dorrell q Co. brokers and
shipowners bore this out faithfully.
was very prosperous firm and hat
during the past year made some very
lucky speculations.
Mr.. johnson, having instructed the
cab man to wait, treaded the tortuous
maze of passages which led to thu
sanctuary where Levi e. Co. transacted
their mighty business and made thei
piles of gold. He handed his card tt
the sunny looking clerk, and after {
minutes delay was shown into th'
room where, in attitudes of conscious
wealth and power, sat the senior part
ner, Mr. Levi, and his colleague, Mr.
Dorrell. Mr.. Levi was short. stout
dark Imam, with the features of his race
and an eye, which in horse would hav,
been called "wicked." Mr.. Dorrel
was also dark, but tall and thin, wei
shaped and gentlemanly. The thir(
occupant of the room, seated at dis
tanl desk in the corner, was a Mr.
Skimp-presumably the "Co." II,
was, however, the mere echo of tn,
two senior partners, and never appear
ed to take any part in the business O
the firm. He did not even look up al
Mr.. johnson entered, but went oil
writing with very audible quill pen
Mr.. Levi and Mr.. Dorrell were rath
er impressed with the manner anC
bearing of their visitor, who had al
air Of deterential yet dignified courtes,
which told in his favor at once. Hi
voice, as he remarked upon the chilli
ness Of the weather for the season O.
the year, had a CHEEKY, high bred tone
which was not the least striking of hi
many charms. The partners were sur
prised to learn that he was only cot
ton broker. After few preliminary
remarKs-in which, as his name, call
ing and place of business were chief,
concerned, Mr.. Johnson did not find i
necessary to employ bis inventive tai
ent he proceeded to enter into the par
ticulars of his projected business with
Levi d Co.
81 understand, Mr.. Levi" he said
with his clear blue eyes fixed upon tn,
"gllttering monocule,' which added
luster and efficacy to Mr., Lewis left
eye, shat you grant advances upor
cargoes in transit, if shipped in YOU
vessels. / think" he continued, de
precatingly, 81 need not mention the
position my firm holds in the mercan
tile world; but, like many others in
these times, my captain is locked up to
a degree which prevents my extending
my business as should like"
"Quite so" assented MIR. D)rrell
blandly.
"Quite so,' said the faint echo-like
voice from the corner desk.
Mr.. Levi bowed slightly, and indi
Gated a wish that Mr.. johnson should
proceed. Mr.. johnson crossed one leg
lightly over the other and went on,
81 have been in the habit of slip
ping cotton from Alexandria by the
vessels of Jones & Co., but if you
gentleman, can see your way to make
to me the necessary advances on Car,
goes, propose transferring my bust
ness to your firm. AT present | have